COOU’S PIONEER MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE STUDENTS RECORD 100% SUCCESS IN FINAL PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS

The pioneer set of 35 students of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), has recorded a 100 per cent success rate in their final professional examinations, marking a significant milestone for the University as the students complete the requirements to become graduates and professional Medical Laboratory Scientists.

The achievement followed the arrival of representatives of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) at the University on Tuesday, 13th October 2026, ahead of the professional examinations held on Wednesday, 14th October 2026. With the successful completion of the examinations, the pioneer students have concluded the academic and professional examination requirements necessary for their entry into the profession, subject to the applicable certification and registration processes.

For the 35 students, the milestone represents the culmination of years of lectures, practical training, assessments and sacrifices. As the first cohort of the Department, they have completed their programme without delay, establishing a foundation for subsequent sets and securing a special place in the history of the University. Their achievement is not only a personal accomplishment but also a defining moment for the Department and COOU.

The success reflects the contributions of the Department’s leadership, particularly the pioneering efforts of Prof. M.N. Orji the Dean of the Faculty and Prof. Chinelo Umedum who initiated the journey and laid the foundation for the programme. Their role in establishing the Department provided the starting point for the academic journey that has now culminated in the emergence of its first set of professionally qualified medical laboratory scientists. The successful completion of the programme by the pioneer set is a significant outcome of the foundation they helped establish.

The current Head of Department, Dr. Stella Afulukwe, expressed joy and gratitude over the students’ performance, attributing their success to their hard work, determination and commitment, as well as the sacrifices and dedication of staff members who worked to ensure that the students received the necessary training. She also acknowledged the support of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, in the Department’s progress.

The achievement is another milestone for COOU under the administration of Prof. Omenugha, whose leadership has continued to emphasise the University’s 3Vs of Values, Viability and Visibility. The timely completion of the programme and the pioneer set’s 100 per cent success in their final professional examinations highlight the importance of institutional support, committed academic leadership and effective programme delivery in preparing students for professional practice.

For the pioneer students, the examinations mark the conclusion of a defining chapter and the beginning of their professional journey. They will remain the first set to complete the Medical Laboratory Science programme at COOU, setting a precedent for future students and demonstrating that a pioneering academic journey can culminate in timely completion and professional achievement.

As the University advances its vision as the Now University and of the Future, the accomplishment stands as a proof to the collective efforts of the pioneer leadership, the current Department, the students and the University administration.

Congratulations to the pioneer set of Medical Laboratory Science and to Prof. Chinelo Umedum, Dr. Stella Afulukwe and the entire Department on this historic achievement.